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Living in holiness

Understand holiness as renewed conduct, love and everyday justice.

1. 1. Read and discover - Read lesson

   World English Bible

   1 Peter 1:13-16

   ¹³ Therefore prepare your minds for action. Be sober, and set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ—

   ¹⁴ as children of obedience, not conforming yourselves according to your former lusts as in your ignorance,

   ¹⁵ but just as he who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all of your behavior,

   ¹⁶ because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

   Read the full chapter

   Understanding the passage

   Peter links hope, attentiveness and holiness; belonging to God changes conduct without granting superiority over others.

   Reflect

   • What changes in everyday conduct does Peter ask of his readers?

   Put it into practice

   Replace a harmful habit with a practice that cares for others.

   Next lesson →

2. 2. A community that builds up - Read lesson

   World English Bible

   Ephesians 4:25-32

   ²⁵ Therefore, putting away falsehood, speak truth each one with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.

   ²⁶ “Be angry, and don’t sin.” Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath,

   ²⁷ and don’t give place to the devil.

   ²⁸ Let him who stole steal no more; but rather let him labor, producing with his hands something that is good, that he may have something to give to him who has need.

   ²⁹ Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for building others up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear.

   ³⁰ Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

   ³¹ Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander be put away from you, with all malice.

   ³² And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.

   Read the full chapter

   Understanding the passage

   Paul connects truth, work, speech and treatment of others; leaving harm behind includes practices benefiting others.

   Reflect

   • Which ways of speaking and acting help care for others according to Paul?

   Put it into practice

   Replace destructive speech with truth expressed carefully.

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3. 3. Putting on compassion - Read lesson

   World English Bible

   Colossians 3:12-17

   ¹² Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance;

   ¹³ bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do.

   ¹⁴ Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection.

   ¹⁵ And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body, and be thankful.

   ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.

   ¹⁷ Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

   Read the full chapter

   Understanding the passage

   The community is called to compassion, patience, forgiveness and gratitude; clothing imagery portrays love as visible habits.

   Reflect

   • Which habit does your community need during disagreement?

   Put it into practice

   Practice a patient response before reacting in conflict.

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4. 4. Freedom to serve - Read lesson

   World English Bible

   Galatians 5:13-16

   ¹³ For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don’t use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants to one another.

   ¹⁴ For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

   ¹⁵ But if you bite and devour one another, be careful that you don’t consume one another.

   ¹⁶ But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won’t fulfill the lust of the flesh.

   Read the full chapter

   Understanding the passage

   Paul distinguishes freedom from selfishness and directs it toward loving service; walking by the Spirit changes relationships.

   Reflect

   • How could personal freedom harm someone else?

   Put it into practice

   Use an opportunity you have for another person’s benefit.

   Next lesson →

5. 5. Justice, mercy and humility - Read lesson

   World English Bible

   Micah 6:8

   ⁸ He has shown you, O man, what is good. What does the LORD require of you, but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

   Read the full chapter

   Understanding the passage

   Micah contrasts just living with multiplying offerings; relationship with God includes how others are treated.

   Reflect

   • What might justice, mercy and humility look like in daily life?

   Put it into practice

   Review a relationship in which you can act more fairly.